The Smile Professionals : Dr. Claire Stagg DDS MS FAACP

Mercury Free

The use of silver mercury amalgam has become a topic of great concern. Many people believe that the mercury component of amalgam fillings is a source of a multitude of health problems. If the amalgam issue is important to you, take a look at our links page for more information. For your benefit, you should explore both sides of the issue and make your own informed decision.

The U.S. EPA recognizes the fact that mercury is a serious environmental toxin. The Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection has special guidelines for the storage and disposal of waste dental amalgam. The EPA recommends the use of non-mercury containing alternatives whenever possible. For tooth restorations, there are excellent alternatives to mercury amalgam. Current composite materials are superior to amalgam and they do not contain heavy metals. We can also provide biocompatibility testing for patients with material sensitivities or concerns about material selection.

We will not use amalgam filling material. Dr. Stagg will only recommend the removal of amalgam fillings when there is a dental health concern such as decay or for cosmetic reasons as per your choice. We do not diagnose any mercury related diseases or ailments. We will be happy to work with you or your health care professional to provide amalgam removal and all your mercury free and biological dental needs.

When removing old mercury amalgam fillings, we take extra precautions and use specialized equipment to minimize any potential exposure to mercury vapor. Dr. Stagg is a member of the I.A.O.M.T. (International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology) and Holistic Dental Society. She uses a variety of equipment and techniques to assist in removing dental amalgam safely and effectively. We recognize that every patient is unique and their dental needs vary greatly. Because of this, Dr. Stagg tailors her treatment plan and amalgam removal procedures for each patient. The recommended treatment and protocols are discussed with each patient during a consultation that follows their New Patient Examination.

The following is quoted from a 1997 mercury reduction report by the Florida DEP:
Some states regulate amalgam as a hazardous waste because Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) tests have shown that amalgam can exhibit characteristic toxicity for mercury. The argument against considering amalgam as a hazardous waste is that the mercury is amalgamated or bonded to the mixture of silver and zinc, and does not evaporate or leach out of the material. During 1997, DEP analyzed amalgam samples from two Florida dental facilities and found that the samples exhibited the toxic characteristic for mercury. (The FULL REPORT may be found by clicking this link.)

For more detailed information about Mercury please visit the following websites:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Regsitry
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2120 Highway A1A Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937
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